| Great escapes: Cornwall 5 |
| Camelot & castles |
| Cornwall is a county of myth and legend, with a history which stems from Celtic origins. Today's tour gives you a taste of this ancient land |
Cornwall's past is very much a thing of the present for those who flock to England's south west, as here you have
everything from the ramparts of Norman castles to the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. Wayside crosses and holywells dotted here and there are reminders of the Celtic origins of Cornwall. Farmsteads and towns retain their original Cornish names. Here, we take you on a tour of our favourite Cornish historic attractions.
1. Tintagel
From Hendra Holiday Park, zero your car's trip meter, leave the car park and follow the signs for Bodmin on the A392. At 4.2 miles, at the Halloon roundabout, take the first exit for the A39 signposted Wadebridge. At 24.9 miles, turn left onto the B3266 (Boscastle). At 26.8 miles, turn left onto the B3314, signposted Delabole. At27 miles, turn rightontothe B3263 signposted Tintagel, arriving at 31 miles. There are a number of carparks on the main street here.
Tintagel Castle has a magical atmosphere - it is said to have been the birthplace, and later the stronghold, of the legendary King Arthur.
Tintagel is cut in two by the sea, and to reach both parts of the site means climbing steep paths. On the mainland is the main entrance to the castle, which has stood since the fifth or sixth century. This leads to the courtyard, once the outermost part of this mediaeval castle built for Earl Richard in 1235. On the island lies the renmants of the castle's inner courtyard, 11th-centurychapel, mediaeval garden, and the ruins of various Dark Ages dwellings.
Excavations here in recent years led to the discoveryofthe 'Arthnou' stone, an inscribed slate dating back l400years, which fuelled the myth and legend surrounding the castle. This place inspires the imagination and encourages the mind to recall stories of gallantry, of KingArthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad.
2. The Athurian Centre, Camelford
From Tintagel, zero your car's trip meter and follow the signs for Camelford on the B3263.At four miles, at theT-junction, turn left onto the B3314. Turn right at 4.2 miles onto the B3266 (Carnelford), and at five miles, turn left, following the brown signs to 'King Arthur's Stone', arriving at 5.5 miles.
The Arthurian Centre (exhibition and gift shop) is in Carnelford, on the edge of Bodmin Moor and is said to be at the site of King Arthur's last battle (Carnlann in AD 540): a short walk from the centre takes you to Slaughter Bridge and the Dark Age memorial stone, canying the inscription 'Here lies Latinus, son of Mago'. Another place said tobe connected with King Arthur is Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor, where local tradition has it that it was from here that Sir Bedivere threw the magic sword Excalibur, returning it to the Lady of the Lake.
3. Royal Cornwall Museum, Thiro
From the Arthurian Centre, exit right then turn left onto the A39 (Wadebridge). Continue on the A39 and at 22.4 miles, at the Highgate Hill Junction roundabout, take the fourth exit signposted Redruth and join the A30. At 28.6 milestake the second exit at the roundabout (A39Truro). At 34.2 miles, turn right at the traffic signals, continuingontheA39. At 36.1 miles, at the mini roundabouts, followthe A390 for Redruth. At 36.8 miles, turn into Station Rd, Truro, and follow signs for the Royal Cornwall Museum.
This museum claims to be the largest and liveliest in Cornwall, and indeed it's well worth a look.
There are permanent displays of Cornish history and archaeology, fine and decorative art, and natural history and minerals.
While you're in Truro, Cornwall's main city it's worth a quick stroll around its cobbled streets, which Georgian buildings and a beautiful cathedral which was only completed in 1910.
4. Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
From the Museum, zero your car'strip meter and follow the signsto St Austell on the A390. At 0.7 miles, turn right at the mini-roundabouts onto the A39 and head for Falmouth (12.5 miles). In the town, follow the brown signs for the castle (13.7miles).
This castle is one of Cornwall's greatest fortresses. It's situated at the mouth of the River Fal, opposite St Mawes Castle-both were built by Henry VIII to guard against the threat of attack from France. Pendennis was re-armed in the late 19th century and also saw action in World War II. There's a good discovery centre offering interactive learning facilities but the castle itself is where the real interest lies. There's the restored guardhouse, the secret defences, the 16th-century keep, complete with Tudor gun deck and a number of underground tunnels to explore.
• Return to Hendra Holiday Paric Zero your trip meter and leave the castle car park folllowing the 'outbound' traffic signs. At Arch Hill mini-roundabouts (11.8 miles) turn right to St Austell. In 0.7 miles take the second 2nd exit at the roundabout. At 12.8 miles take the second exit at the roundabout (A39).
Continue on the A39. At 19.3 miles, at the roundabout, take the third exit (A30). At 20.5 miles branch left to Newquay (A3076). At 22.3 miles, turn left onto the A3058. Turn left onto the A392 (26 miles), then turn left and return to the site at (26.7 miles).
|
|
|
Distance 110 miles
Time 10 hours
Start/Finish Hendra Holiday Park
Suitable for all the family.
Information
English Heritage Properties (such asTintagel and Pendennis) Tel 08703331181.
Tintagel Castle open from l0am daily. Entry £3 adults, £2.30 concessions, £1.60 children.
Pendennis Castle open from lOam daily. Entry £3.80 adults, £2.90 concessions, £1.90 children.
Refreshments
The White Hart, Truro
Tel 01872 77294
Attractions
Ailhurian Centre
Tel 01840 212450
Pendennis Castle
Tel 01326 316594
Royal Cornwall Museum
Tel 01872 272205
Tintagel Castle
Tel 01840 770328
Tip
There are some steep footpaths at Tintagel so take suitable footwear.
|
|
